FLINT, Michigan — Closing two Flint fire stations is a mistake that would have a "tremendous" effect on public safety, said Raul Garcia, president of the Flint Firefighters Union.

Not only could it take longer for firefighters to reach a burning home or structure, but it also could affect mutual aid agreements with fire departments in surrounding communities, he said.

"This is a major concern," Garcia said today. "But we’re going to do the best we can with the resources that we have."

Flint Mayor Dayne Walling said today that Station 8 on Atherton Road on the city’s south side and Station 3 on King Avenue on the city’s north side will close March 9 if his proposed 23 firefighter layoffs go into effect.

Walling said the layoffs could be avoided if an agreement is reached on union concessions. The city is trying to trim an $8-million deficit.

Garcia said the firefighters union will continue to meet with the city, but the city's proposals so far have not been fair. He said the mayor and his appointees have taken 5 percent pay cuts but he's asking the unions to take cuts that equal 15 percent or higher.

"Negotiations are a two-way street but they want it to be a one-way street," Garcia said. "If the city is not willing to meet us halfway, it's not going to be on me it's going to be on them."

Garcia said closing the two stations could endanger mutual aid agreements with surrounding communities.

"Why should they basically cover the city of Flint?" he said of other fire departments. "If I lived in Burton I'd be outraged. You're using my people and my equipemnt — what happens if something breaks out in my area?"